Confident Strabane heading to Belfast full of the joys of spring

This Saturday there are games in the first round of the Ulster Cup, while on Sunday in the Long’s Supervalu Premiership, Bready entertain Ardmore and Fox Lodge travel to champions Coleraine who,
 after last week’s league defeat to Brigade, will be only to keen to repair the damage.

SATURDAY

CIYMS v Strabane

These two sides are in top form. The home side have a number of North West inter-pro players in their side including skipper Chris Dougherty and they have an in-form professional in Robin Van Der Dussen.

The Red Caps fear no-one this season and they are playing with great self belief. Their new professional Tami Mupariwa looks more than useful and this could be a close run thing.

Prediction: CIYMS.

Eglinton v Instonians

The Villagers must be starting to get worried - they have yet to win a game and the signs are not good. There is talent in the side, but so far they have been too inconsistent.

The visitors are one of the better Northern Union sides, their star man being Irish international Andrew White and it would be a shock if they were to lose.

Prediction: Instonians.

Muckamore v Bready

The County Antrim side have a decent record on their home ground although they are still finding their feet in the top division even if they are still a capable outfit.

Bready skipper David Scanlon has been delighted with his side’s unbeaten start to the season, which is quite a change from last summer.

Opening bowler Craig Young must surely get selected for the Irish side sooner rather than later, as he continues to shine.

Prediction: Bready.

Brigade v Lisburn

The Beechgrove men were very disappointed with their exit from the Irish Senior Cup, their first defeat of the season last weekend. They will be determined to bounce back in this one and will be strong favourites.

Lisburn have ex-Fox Lodge pro Darryl Brown in their ranks and have former Bready man Robert Rankin opening the batting but they may still suffer a Brigade backlash.

Prediction: Brigade.

Waringstown v Fox Lodge

The home side have been one of the top clubs in NCU cricket for many years and they will be expecting more honours this season. There is quality throughout the team with players of the calibre of Kyle McCallan, Lee Nelson and Phil Eaglestone. They will be start firm favourites.

The Foxies were poor in last Saturday’s defeat by Bready but bounced back on Sunday in the Irish Senior Cup.

Prediction: Waringstown.

Ardmore v CSNI

Ardmore had a big weekend last time with two victories. Their win on Sunday against North County shows that they are a side to be reckoned with in all competitions The wicket is without doubt one of the best in the North West.

Civil Service probably haven’t got over last Sunday’s debacle at St Johnston, but credit is due to the Donegal men for that win.

Prediction: Ardmore.

North Down v Coleraine

Both these sides suffered defeats last Saturday. The Comber men were knocked out of the Ulster Challenge Cup and will be out to avoid two exits on the trot. They will be looking to Timur Khan, Johnny Terrett and Ryan Haire to see them through.

The Bannsiders lost their first match of the season last Saturday when their top order all failed - something which doesn’t happen too often and it should be just a blip.

Prediction: Coleraine.